Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) Effect on Stock Market. Evidence from Swedish Stock Market

In general the theory of finance assumes that the markets are efficient, but behavioral finance concept shows that markets are not efficient due to deviations known as anomalies. This study focuses on a seasonal anomaly called the Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). The anomaly refers to significantly lower stock returns before winter solstice and abnormally higher after winter solstice. This paper investigates the role of SAD phenomenon on the Swedish stock market. It also examines the possible influence of weather factors such as air pressure, precipitation and cloud cover on the Swedish stock returns as well as the SAD impact on shares in a matter of risk. The research examines two stock market indices-Nordic Small Cap index and Stockholm OMX30 index. The studied time period for the Nordic Small Cap index is 2006-2012 and for the Stockholm OMX30 index is from 2003 to 2012. The market data comprises of daily log returns. Main testing method is regression analysis with seasonal dummy variables. In addition to Ordinary Least Squares (OLS), the GARCH model is also used in order to measure the shares volatility. The results indicate that the SAD effect can be observed during autumn on the Nordic Small Cap index returns. The returns during the period from the autumnal equinox until the winter solstice are lower than usual. Besides that, Monday and tax dummies for the same index ap-pear to be statistically significant. The returns on the first day of the week are lower than dur-ing the other days of the week. At the end of the year, during tax time, the returns for the same index appear to be higher than the average returns. The weather factors do not affect the stock returns. The GARCH model results show that the tax arrangements at the end of the year cause a change in the index volatility that leads to an increase in the returns whereas the Monday effect on the risk returns is expressed in a decrease. This study considers a possible connection between SAD anomaly and January effect. How-ever, the regression results do not confirm the existence of the January effect on the Swedish stock market.fi=Opinnäytetyö kokotekstinä PDF-muodossa.|en=Thesis fulltext in PDF format.|sv=Lärdomsprov tillgängligt som fulltext i PDF-format

Study of the liver metabolic activation of some plant phenolic compounds

Phenolic compounds form one of the main classes of secondary metabolites. The widespread use of flavonoids and phenolic acids necessitates the study of their metabolism. The aim of this work is to predict the possible metabolites of some plant phenolic compounds by a specialized software (OECD (Q)SAR Application Toolbox. Analysis of data reveals that after metabolic activation in liver (observed pathways) for five of the six plant phenolic compounds liver metabolism was not observed. Only for one compound (Luteolin) metabolic activation in liver (observed pathways) was observed

The Importance of Developing Communication Skills in Students from the Public Health Inspector Specialty

Introduction: The problem of developing the communication culture of future public health inspectors (PHIs) is considered to be of practical importance and requires special attention during their basic training.Aim: To identify the need for public health inspector communication skills development during the training process at the Medical College (MC).Materials and Methods: A questionnaire survey of 116 inspectors working in the system of the Regional Health Inspection (RHI) in seven regional cities was conducted, as were interviews with 16 experts in the field of public health, 21 young inspectors (who finished their education over the last 5 years), and 30 students in the specialty of Public Health Inspector at the Medical College of Varna.Results: Over half of the surveyed inspectors (56.9%) consider that they need to have specific communication skills in their work. The majority of students and young professionals interviewed (80%) stated a need for additional training on topics related to professional communication. Conclusion: The fundamentals of all specialized knowledge and competences for the acquisition of communication skills should be laid during the PHIs’ training in the MC. This should be achieved through a specialized training course as part of the mandatory curriculum

Luminescent Complexes of Europium (III) with 2-(Phenylethynyl)-1,10-phenanthroline: The Role of the Counterions

New antenna ligand, 2-(phenylethynyl)-1,10-phenanthroline (PEP), and its luminescent Eu (III) complexes, Eu(PEP)2Cl3 and Eu(PEP)2 (NO3 )3 , are synthesized and characterized. The synthetic procedure applied is based on reacting of europium salts with ligand in hot acetonitrile solutions in molar ratio 1 to 2. The structure of the complexes is refined by X-ray diffraction based on the single crystals obtained. The compounds [Eu(PEP)2Cl3 ]·2CH3CN and [Eu(PEP)2 (NO3 )3 ]·2CH3CN crystal ize in monoclinic space group P21/n and P21/c, respectively, with two acetonitrile solvent molecules. Intra- and inter-ligand π-π stacking interactions are present in solid stat and are realized between the phenanthroline moieties, as well as between the substituents and the phenanthroline units. The optical properties of the complexes are investigated in solid state, acetonitrile and dichloromethane solution. Both compounds exhibit bright red luminescence caused by the organic ligand acting as antenna for sensitization of Eu (III) emission. The newly designed complexes differ in counter ions in the inner coordination sphere, which allows exploring their influence on the stability, molecular and supramolecular structure, fluorescent properties and symmetry of the Eu (III) ion. In addition, molecular simulations are performed in order to explain the observed experimental behavior of the complexes. The discovered structure-properties relationships give insight on the role of the counter ions in the molecular design of new Eu (III) based luminescent materials

Treatment of tetanus in childhood with MgSO4 - benefits and risks

Тетанус е остра инфекциозна болест, характеризираща се с клиничната триада мускулна ригидност, мускулен спазъм и дисфункция на автономната нервна система. Овладяването на болезнения, протрахиран мускулен спазъм и ригидност е основен момент в лечението. В кли-ничната практика са използвани редица медикаменти като бензодиазепини, опиати, пропофол, дантролен, баклофен, мускулни релаксанти. Алтернативно средство за контрол е MgSO4.Представяме клиничен случай на 12-год. Дете с тетанус, при който за първи път в нашето от-деление бе използвана продължителна интравенозна инфузия на MgSO4. Медикаментът бе при-ложен за контрол на мускулните спазми в комбинация с Dormicum, Tilidine и Baclofen. С добавянето към терапията на MgSO4 успяхме да овладеем мускулния спазъм и да намалим ригидността, избягвайки повишаване на дозите на седативи и опиати, както и провеждането на ендотрахеална интубация с последваща трахеостомия, изкуствена белодробна вентилация (ИБВ) и мускулна релаксация.Решението да представим нашия опит за управление на тетанус с прилагане на непрекъсната i.v. Инфузия с MgSO4 бе продиктувано от факта, че в литературата се откриха само единични клинични случаи. Посочените дози бяха твърде вариабилни, може би защото децата бяха с различна степен на тежест на заболяването, със или без подкрепяща ИБВ. Тези факти ни мотивираха да опишем подробно нашия клиничен случай с оглед подкрепа на бъдещата кли-нична практика у нас.Tetanus is an acute infectious disease characterized by clinical triad muscle rigidity, muscle spasm and dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system. The management of the painful, protracted muscle spasm and rigidity is a basic element in the treatment of tetanus. Numerous medications such as benzodiazepines, opiates, propofol, dantrolene, baclofen, muscle relaxants have been used in clinical practice. An alternative agent is MgSO4.We present a clinical case of tetanus in a 12-year-old child, in which a prolonged intravenous infusion of MgSO4 was used for the first time at our intensive care unit. The drug was used to control muscle spasms in combination with Dormicum, Tilidine and Baclofen. With the addition of MgSO4 to the therapy, we managed to control muscle spasms and to reduce rigidity, avoiding increase in the doses of the sedative and opiate, as well as endotracheal intubation followed by tracheostomy, mechanical ventilation and muscle relaxation.The decision to present our experience of managing tetanus by application of continuous i.v. infusion with MgSO4 was due to the fact that only single clinical cases were described in the literature. Furthermore, the indicated doses were too variable, perhaps because the children were with varying severity of tetanus, with or without supportive artificial lung ventilation. These facts motivated us to describe our clinical case in detail in order to support future local clinical practice

Comparison of blood biochemical parameters of four species of vultures

Vultures play a very important role in ecosystems by feeding on dead animals and preventing the spread of pathogens. In the mid-20th century in Bulgaria, all species of vultures experienced a rapid population decline and conservation measures include captive breeding and release via adaptation aviaries. Knowledge of the baseline blood biochemical parameters is crucial for the care, rehabilitation and prior to the release of endangered birds of prey. Plasma levels provide valuable information for the evaluation of the physical condition of animals.Between 2020 and 2022, we took blood samples from captive Bearded, Griffon, Cinereous and Egyptian Vultures in Bulgaria (n = 118). We determined the values of 18 parameters - alanine transaminase, albumin, alkaline phosphatase, amylase, aspartate transaminase, calcium, chloride, cholesterol, creatine kinase, creatinine, glucose, lactate dehydrogenase, magnesium, phosphorus, total bilirubin, total protein, triglycerides and uric acid. This research determined the mean blood biochemical indices for aviary Bearded, Griffon, Cinereous and Egyptian Vultures in Bulgaria and compared the values amongst the four vulture species, to serve in determining clinical pathology and nutrition for scavenger birds of different species, age groups and genders in the country.The results of this study suggested that there are significant differences between many of the indicators of the four vulture species. There are fewer differences in the indicators of different ages of birds of a given species and almost no differences are found between the two sexes of a species. These values could be used by scientists, veterinary pathologists, wildlife rehabilitation centres and other researchers. Furthermore, the use of such parameters in assessing population health may enable conservationists to further research environmental conditions affecting the vultures’ reproduction and survival

FERROPTOSIS IN CD4+ AND CD8+ T-CELLS IN THE SETTINGS OF HIV INFECTION

Introduction: Elevation of intracellular iron concentration triggers ferroptosis. Understanding the regulation and pathophysiological mechanisms of this process in HIV infection may contribute to antiretroviral therapy (cART) monitoring. Aim: To perform a correlation analysis of the intracellular labile-bound iron pool (LIP) in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in association with CD4+, CD8+ T cells absolute count (AC) and CD4/CD8 index in HIV+ individuals on continuous cART with sustained viral suppression. Material and methods: Peripheral blood samples (Li heparin, n=34) were collected in the course of the routine immune monitoring of HIV+ individuals at four time points during 24 months. Plasma HIV viral load (VL) was determined with the Abbott Real-Time HIV-1 test (sensitivity 40 copies/ml). AC and percentage of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were determined by direct flow cytometry (Multitest, BD Trucount, FACS Canto II). The intracellular content of LIP in CD4 and CD8 T cells (LIP CD4, LIP CD8) was measured at the beginning of the study, using acetoxymethyl ester and subsequent incubation with a chelator (Deferiprone). LIP was quantified according to the mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) (FACSCanto II, Diva 6.1.2). Results: In the settings of a higher LIP CD4 , high LIP CD8 correlated with increased CD8AC (Rho=0.70, p<0.05) up to 11 (min. 6, max. 15) months after LIP measurement., and decreased CD4/CD8 ratio correlated inversely with LIP CD8 in all consecutive measurements (Rho= -0.71, p<0.01 for all), Importantly, high LIP CD8 correlated with a lower CD4AC (Rho=-0.65, p<0.05) up to five (min.1, max.8) months after LIP measurement. Conclusion: The increased concentration of intracellular LIP in CD8 cells in HIV+cART individuals could indicate viral activity in the settings of undetectable HIV VL, directly associated with ongoing cell ferroptosis

Bone mineral density and its determinants in long-term childhood Hodgkin's lymphoma survivors - a pilot study

Aim: The purpose of this study is to evaluate bone mineral density (BMD) and its determinants in long-term survivors of childhood Hodgkin`s lymphoma (HL), treated and followed up in a single center.Methods: We compared 18 long-term survivors between 18 and 34 years of age (mean age 26.2 ± 3.9 yrs), to 25 age- and sex-matched controls and assessed their anthropometric features and biochemical and hormonal parameters. The participants` BMD, BMD Z-scores and young-adult T-scores, bone mineral content (BMC), fat mass (FM), lean mass (LM) and appendicular lean mass (ALM) were measured by whole body Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). Their physical activity (PA) was assessed through the means of questionnaires and semi-structured interviews.Results: An average of 12.3 ± 3.2 yrs after treatment completion, HL survivors had lower BMD Z-scores and BMD young-adult T-scores (-0.03 ± 1.07 vs 0.69 ± 1.19, р = 0.04 and -0.20 ± 0.92 vs 0.48 ± 1.27, р = 0.07, respectively). Hypergonadotropic hypogonadism was found in 54.5% of male survivors, and 3 out of 7 female survivors presented with thyroid dysfunction. No participant had SDSBMD lower than -2. The frequency rate of BMD Z-scores < -1 among survivors was 16.7% (3/18). All HL survivors with a BMD Z-score < -1 were males. They were treated with more intensive therapy (n=3) and 2 of them presented with treatment-induced hypogonadism. Compared to controls, survivors, especially women, exhibited lower physical sports activity frequency and duration (1.6 ± 2.1 vs 3.7 ± 3.4/week, p = 0.02 and 90 ± 127 vs 279 ± 419 min/week, p = 0.06). BMD positively correlated with LM, ALM and physical activity parameters. Lean mass, older age at diagnosis and the dose of the radiotherapy delivered during treatment were all independent predictors of BMD in HL survivors.Conclusion: Compared to controls, long-term childhood HL survivors have lower BMD Z-scores and BMD T-scores at an age close to their individual bone mass peak. Males treated with intensive therapy present with deteriorated bone health in the context of therapy-induced hypogonadism and low physical activity. The timely detection of low BMD, treating hormonal dysfunctions and increasing PA are effective means to preventing and delaying late morbidity

Двустранни търговски отношения между Австрия и България (2004-2018)

Austria is one of the wealthiest and most stable countries in Europe. The country is one of the traditional and important trade and economic partners of Bulgaria. The study presents and analyzes the main trends in Austria's foreign trade in general and in particular – in the country's trade with Bulgaria for the period 2004-2018 in terms of trade flows dynamics, the place of the two countries in the trade of the other and the terms of trade. The paper assesses the relations between the observed tendencies in search of the reasons behind them

Two and a Half Centuries after Houttuyn: A Review of Avian Cestodes (Platyhelminthes: Cestoda) from Africa

Information on cestode parasites in birds in Africa published in 1772–2022 in 177 works is summarised. The data of 434 cestode species belonging to 147 genera, 14 families and 3 orders are presented. For each species, the valid name, the synonyms used in the literature for Africa, bibliographic reference to the original records, names of the hosts and data on the geographical distribution on the continent are included. The cestode orders Dyphyllobothriidea and Tetrabothriidea are represented by one and seven species, respectively. The order Cyclophyllidea is represented by 426 species belonging to 146 genera and 12 families. The most species-rich families are Davaineidae (118 species), Hymenolepididae (105), Dilepididae (86) and Paruterinidae (50). In total, 333 species of birds belonging to 76 families and 27 orders have been recorded as hosts of cestodes in Africa. A host–parasite checklist is presented. The cestode complexes detected in avian orders are characterised by high levels of host specificity. The degree of knowledge of the avian cestode fauna of Africa is considered fragmentary and insufficient; it varies across countries, with the maximum number of species recorded in Egypt (112 species) and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (104 species). There are no records of avian cestodes for 19 African countries